Somehow I made endless trips to Apple Stores in 2010 without walking out with an iPad.

This was all part of a promise I made to my wife to let her get me one for the holidays.

So now that I have it (64GB/WiFi), what's the perfect setup, with must have apps and accessories?

After opening the box, the very first thing I did was put on the peel-and-stick NewerTech NuVue Screen Protector with Privacy Shield.

This enables the iPad's touch screen to remain scratch-free while keeping curious eyes next to me from reading my e-mail, watching my online banking or viewing my movies.

The protector ($39.99) required a few minutes to apply, along with an extra pair of hands to keep it bubble free.

I ended up using a small squeegee I got with a different screen protector to help remove the bubbles.

Whatever bubbles remained were gone by the next day.

If a case isn't your thing, the screen protector makes a nice combination with the NewerTech Hard Shell Snap On Case, which sells for just $5.99.

The shell is a polycarbonate case, molded to the exact shape of the iPad enabling it to have maximum protection without adding any significant weight.

For hands free viewing, the NewerTech NuStand Alloy ($24.99) was my choice for a desktop stand.

It's constructed with an aircraft grade aluminum body and holds the iPad horizontally or vertically.

Rubber feet help keep it from sliding around as well as keeping the unit scratch free when docked together in the rubber insert.